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REAL ESTATE: Fraud trial deliberations to begin Monday

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The trial in Riverside County Superior Court accusing Hendrix Montecastro and his mother, Helen Pedrino, of felony crimes over their role in a $142 million mortgage and securities investment fraud centered in Southwestern Riverside County is moving into the jury deliberation phase.

Closing arguments concluded today, March 12.

Jurors elected a foreman and voted to start deliberations at 10 a.m. Monday, March 18, to accommodate a juror who told the court before the Nov. 1 trial started of the need to take a preplanned, prepaid vacation later in the week.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Prevost, in his instructions, told jurors they had the option to pick an alternate to begin deliberations Wednesday or recess the trial for three days.

"It's an unusual request; I've never made it before,'' Prevost said, explaining that this instruction was warranted because the trial has stretched on one month longer than anticipated. "As you know, this is an unusual case."

Montecastro, 40, has been accused of being a ringleader in the Ponzi-type scam against 27 victims; and Pedrino, 61, has been described of crimes for her role as as a master recruiter of five of those victims.

The mastermind of the Ponzi scheme, James Duncan, and a key lieutenant in it, Maurice McLeod, along with several other co-conspirators have all pleaded guilty to the crimes; and either await sentencing or are wrapping up probation.

We'll have more on what was said in closing arguments in today's Press-Enterprise.

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